Nothing seems to go right

[Mrs49]

This is all new to me. Been feeling so down and so depressed. I just completed a travel course and I just cant seem to get a job. I am competing with all the young ones. I give it my all in a n interview, but it's almost during the interview they see and work out how old I am and the the interview goes cold. I am 49 years old and decided to have a career change. On top of that my husband works (which is great) but on one income we are struggling. I want to work and I am applying for other jobs suitable but just feel so ashamed that we took out a loan to pay for for the course now I cant get a job to pay it off...its seems no matter how hard we try to make our lives happy and to move forward something gets in the way... I no longer want to be social with my friends as I just don't want to hear "oh you did that course' now you have not got a job. I have pulled away from social events, as we cant afford to go anywhere anyway. My husband is very understanding but it just does not seem to help, I just feel so down. I know I am also going through menopause and that does not help my situation but I feel as though its just not just that. I am normally a positive person and have used mindfulness before but I cant even get my mind back into that... its so frustrating and I feel like a failure.

[Touille]

Hi Mrs49,

Welcome to the forum, you will get some good advice on here.

I'm sorry you are facing age discrimination, you have put in a lot of effort in your course, well done for completing it. I'm not sure if you are keen on working as a travel consultant or tour guide, try and persist if you like to. I'm 35 and been out of work for nearly a year, I know the feeling, going to interviews, getting nothing, I feel like a dog chasing my tail.

I decided to study a course to become a Community Support Worker, there is plenty of work in that field, they like people who are older with experience. My aunt works at an age care home, they provide training and they can't get enough people to work there, it's just a thought for you to consider to pay your course or perhaps working in a store.

Your confidence has taken a battering, it's nice to know your husband is supportive. I hope you can socialise with any understanding friends.

Your not a failure, your just having some bad experiences and you have some good skills to offer an future appreciate employer, keep trying and remember the economy isn't the best, things are hard for lots of people at the moment.

Consider seeing a GP, counsellor or another professional to help you.

It is sad employers want young people who have no experience.

Anyway, I hope my message help you. I feel for you during this time.

Take Care

Touille

[Mrs49]

Thank you Touille.

The thought of working for aged care or community support workers is just not for me, after watching my parents pass away in nursing homes there is no way I would set foot in one. Why should I settle for what society wants me to do. I love travel I love all aspects of travel. I have refocused my job hunting to other skills I have and hopefully I can get into travel. Its just appalling that age discrimination is happening just that these days it cant be proven. My spirits are a little better this week. As they say one day at a time. life throws us all different challenges and I like to tackle them head on but some times it just gets to much and I seem to have a melt down but seem to be able to pick my self up most of the time...just nice to know there is somewhere to go blahhhh... so thank you again.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Mrs49,

Just wanted to give you a welcome to the forums and thank you for reaching out.

It looks like there's been a great response here from Touille. I don't have a lot of experience in your situation but I do know a little about work/study so I will try and add some helpful input.

You mentioned a loan to pay for a course and now you can't pay that off. I just want to let you know that many course providers have refund policies and cancellation policies depending on the date of your enrolment and the course provider. This might be worth looking into if you have not finished your study.

What sort of jobs are you interested in? You mentioned travel; do you have a lot of experience travelling? Would this travel job be a travel agent or are their other roles that you are interested in? You said that you were 'competing with the young ones', but as a 'young one' I often feel like I'm competing with the older ones. People not hiring you based on your age is discriminatory - it might be worth finding out if this is true (it could be easy to assume) or what they feel that you are missing. Often most employers can guess a person's age based on the Resume itself using the dates/years of employment or study. I've often called employers for feedback for unsuccessful interviews. From a HR perspective, older people can provide a different skill-set from working in various roles or dealing with a variety of people which younger people can't always relate to. Travel agents in particular are not in high demand however this is a job that gives you great flexibility as well as the ability to be self-employed.

I know that this is only part of what you've mentioned but I'm posting as I feel like I could be more helpful in this area... 🙂

I also want to encourage you to reach out if you need, by contacting your GP or Psychologist or by ringing BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636.

[Mrs49]

Thank you for your kind words... but I have successfully completed my course and we are paying it off. I guess I am frustrated that I have not got employment to make our life financially easier. It just gets to me, yes I realise that travel agents are not in high demand but as i mentioned I am looking and applying in other areas. Yes I guess the young feel like we take their jobs but I guess we don't always see that way. I have eliminated all dates that could possibly show my age. I have no desire to be self employed I like to be in a company. I just need to keep plugging away and when ever I have an interview now to learn from my last one. Its tough when you up against 100's of others. It just gets to you...its handling that rejection is where I loose the plot. Thanks again for your kind words it all helps. 🙂

[Touille]

Hi Again,

Do you have any interest in travel related jobs, other than a Travel Agent? You can start a travel business from your home even. Have you tried calling certain Travel Agents to ask if there is positions available?Lots of jobs are not even advertised.

I know your frustrated, but keep trying, getting interviews is a positive sign.

I was told of a woman who wanted to work in the mines, she rang every day until they got sick of her and have her a job.

You will find something eventually 🙂

Take Care

Touille